The recent trip to Washington DC on the 23rd of July 2013 with the Private Practice Section (PPS Fly In) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) to advocate for permanent repeal and replacement of the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) and overturn of the Therapy Cap.
Kerry (in this photo) also had the 'pleasure' of learning about Medicare Opt Out for physical therapists from us :)
From left to right: Shamsah Shidi, PT,
Kerry L. Allen (Legislative Aide to Senator Bill Nelson)
Tim Richardson, PT
This next photo is in Congressman Vern Buchanan's office where Shane and I have met on many previous occasions.
Left to Right
Tim Richardson PT
Shamsah Shidi, PT
ShaneLieberman, (Legislative Director for Congressman Vern Buchanan)
Jack Front, PT
In this next photo, Gus Bilirakis had just informed of the pending vote by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on SGR reform. Bilirakis predicted there would be no opposition. Ultimately, the bill passed by unanimous vote, 51-0 on July 31 and would then move on to the full House.
Left to Right
Jack Front, PT
Congressman Gus Bilirakis
Shamsah Shidi, PT
Tim Richardson, PT
Sally Canfield of Senator Marco Rubio's office was present in 1997 when the original SGR formula was constructed. She resisted the temptation to wag her finger at her peers and politicos in Washington DC to say 'I told you so!'. Sally was probably the most well-informed and optimistic of all the congressional aides we spoke to that day.
Left to right: Jack Front, PT Shamsah Shidi, PT Sally Canfield (Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy for Senator Marco Rubio Tim Richardson, PT
I urge every physical therapist to leave your offices every now and then to get to know your legislators and advocate for physical therapists' patients. These people may control an important part of our future.
